This OpenMinds policy brief, published in August 2026, makes the case for federal permitting reform for both transmission lines and natural gas pipelines. It argues that the binding constraint on the U.S. energy system is moving energy rather than producing it, and that faster, more predictable permitting would lower energy costs, strengthen reliability and reduce emissions.
Key points
- U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow at roughly 10x its historical rate through 2035, requiring an estimated 800 gigawatts of additional generation capacity. Residential electricity prices rose 38 percent nationally between 2020 and 2025.
- Transmission lines take an average of eight years to permit, and more than 4 Bcf/d of proposed Northeast pipeline capacity has been delayed, canceled or contested.
- Eighteen effectively shovel-ready transmission lines represent more than $180 billion in net consumer and economic benefits.
- The brief asks Congress to clarify NEPA's scope with binding timelines, reform Clean Water Act Section 401, establish federal backstop siting authority, finalize an interregional cost-allocation rule and coordinate gas, power and transmission permitting.
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